As the world watches the unfolding situation, the next 60 days will be critical in determining the viability of the agreement between the United States and Iran. While there are signs of cautious optimism from some, experts warn that underlying tensions and Iran’s strategic maneuvers could complicate the path to lasting peace.
As it stands, the final negotiations will take place within a 60-day timeframe and will concentrate on Iran’s development of nuclear weapons and remaining sanctions.
American Family News spoke to national security expert and retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Darin Gaub. The former UH-60 Black Hawk pilot and battalion commander acknowledges, “the current ‘deal’ on the table between Iran and the United States contains points of concern that, if they remain in any final resolution, will leave key issues to be debated over the next 60 days.”
For the national security expert, the primary concern is “Iran's nuclear ambitions.” He notes that Iran habitually postpones actions or decisions for as long as it can to secure any potential advantage. And according to him, this may pose a similar issue in the future, as Iran could utilize a sixty-day negotiation period to strengthen vital military and economic capabilities, finance their missile and drone production systems, or even restore some of their nuclear capabilities.
“Iran's goal is to outlast the United States and ensure regime and ideological survival even at great cost to itself,” Gaub argues. “As currently understood, this deal could allow it to achieve that goal and achieve ‘victory’ in its mind.”
The issue is that the ideology is deeply rooted in the current leadership framework of Tehran and at the upper echelons of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said the retired Army lieutenant colonel. “This means we've eliminated some leaders, but the ideology remains, and that's what drives their decisions.”
As this ideological battle continues, other nations are monitoring the development. Pakistan and Israel have publicly weigh in, with a mix of praise and a mix of caution. “Following intensive talks, we are pleased to announce that the Peace Deal between the United States of America and Islamic Republic of Iran has been REACHED,” Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote on X. “Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.”
Interestingly, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not made any statements yet. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Israel Katz refrained from openly condemning the agreement but asserted that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would not pull back from southern Lebanon. He cautioned that if Iran retaliates against Israel due to the conflict with Hezbollah, "we will strike it with full force."
The responses from regional players like Pakistan and Israel underscore the complexity of the geopolitical landscape.
